Mother hen not showing baby food dish

[Ridgerunner]

I don't see anything wrong with that set-up. Since it is giving that plaintive peep, dip its beak in the water to show it where the water is. You may need to temporarily lock that hen where she can't attack you when defending her chick. You said it tried to eat the crumble and did eat some egg, it should be OK for food. The egg was a good idea.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

I don't see anything wrong with that set-up. Since it is giving that plaintive peep, dip its beak in the water to show it where the water is. You may need to temporarily lock that hen where she can't attack you when defending her chick. You said it tried to eat the crumble and did eat some egg, it should be OK for food. The egg was a good idea.

Thank you! I'll try to dip her beak in water tomorrow. I might be able to do it in front of mama hen, but I doubt it. I'll keep on with the scrambled egg too. I would let her out with the flock to forage, but they are bigger than her. I dont know if they would hurt the baby.